In case it was not painfully obvious already, C.J. Stroud has not asked for, let alone demanded, $70 million per season on a new contract with the Houston Texans.
“There is no astronomical $70 million average per year asking price from #Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, per league sources, in his contract discussions with team. No deal is imminent at this time, per sources. Remains a possibility before season, but definitely not at that range and not close at this time. Barring new developments, this could stretch into next year. Both sides have time on their side,” KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson reported on X on August 21.
“Stroud is secured through 2027 season on fifth-year club option. Plus, quarterback market is expected to rise significantly next year. A deal now could pale in comparison to potential value next year, especially if he has the kind of season team is hoping for. Should that happen, price obviously goes up. That’s a good problem to have, not a deal-breaker at all.”
If that was not enough, Brian “Big Sarge” Barfield expressed similar sentiments.
“#HearMeOut,” Barfield posted on X on August 21, adding that, “Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud has not asked for $70 million a year from the Texans,” and including “That did not happen…” for emphasis.
Texans Could Still Face $70 Million C.J. Stroud Question
GettyC.J. Stroud has not asked for $70 million from the Texans but could still command as much eventually.
With the matter of what Stroud is asking for settled, that does not eliminate the possibility that Stroud could command such a figure from the Texans, and it would be nothing more than par for the QB course.
So, is Stroud worth $70 million on average on a new multi-year contract?
Over The Cap’s Troy Chapman called it a “complicated question,” arguing the Texans’ question is more “if” they should extend Stroud rather than for “how much.”
“Today? The answer is a quick no [on a $70 million price tag]. Next offseason…maybe? The quarterback market is the one position that doesn’t always equate contract value with positional ranking. Quarterback contracts are about market positioning and timing. It is about who’s next. What contract needs to be barely topped to become #1?” Chapman wrote on August 22.
“Stroud has the opportunity to shift the question back to “how much?” with a solid performance in 2026. The chances of a contract extension during the 2026 league year appear to have no momentum.”
That is when Chapman delved into the idea of $70 million annually, amid constant price hikes.
“Nobody in the NFL is currently making $70 million per year,” Chapman wrote. “So a $70 million APY for Stroud wouldn’t merely reset the quarterback market.”
Chapman continued, saying such a d deal “would take a running start and jump over it. And based purely on Stroud’s performance over the last two seasons, that’s difficult to justify,” something the Texans may feel as well.
However, Chapman argued that the days of QB’s averaging $70 million are coming.
Moreover, Stroud could very well find himself in that group, but it will take a strong 2026 with the Texans.
Texans’ Decision Not Expected Until 2027
GettyA decision on C.J. Stroud’s long-term future is not expected until next year.
Stroud and the Texans are on track to have this play out into the 2027 season. Chapman echoed Wilson’s sentiments regarding a timeline for a potential extension, expecting the situation to “drag into the 2027 offseason.”
But making a comparison to Trevor Lawrence, Chapman argued that Stroud could very well cross the $70 million mark, however unlikely, with a strong enough season.
It is all about timing.
He and the Texans are heading into a period where the 2024 draft class could reshape the floor for top-tier QBs, while players paid before him could establish a higher ceiling. And, once again–and especially for quarterbacks–it is rarely, if ever, about who is the better player.
Instead, it is about who hits the market when and how much leverage they have over their team, which does not bode well for Stroud right now.
Texans Face C.J. Stroud Reality Check Amid Trevor Lawrence Comparison